What Is a Neutral Flag and Why Do Athletes Compete Under It?

Suddenly, everyone is talking about the neutral flag. Zamona is here to explain what it is and the role it plays in the fate of Russian athletes at the upcoming PyeongChang Olympics.

Table of Contents

1. What is a neutral flag?
2. Why do athletes compete under a neutral flag instead of their country's flag?
3. What’s the difference between competing under your own flag and a neutral one?
4. If an athlete can't represent their country, why participate in the Olympics at all?
5. Which countries have had athletes compete under a neutral flag before?
6. Why has the neutral flag become a topic of discussion now?

What Is a Neutral Flag?

The neutral flag is the traditional Olympic flag—a white banner featuring interlaced rings in blue, black, red, yellow, and green. These rings symbolize the five continents of the world.

The flag was designed by French sports pioneer Pierre de Coubertin in 1913 and was first introduced at the VII Summer Olympics in Antwerp in 1920.

Why Do Athletes Compete Under a Neutral Flag Instead of Their National Flag?

This usually happens when a country's National Olympic Committee is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Reasons can include political conflicts such as war or a military coup.

Sometimes, a country may decline to send a team or athlete to the Olympics due to internal, often political, reasons.

However, athletes who qualify for the Olympics have the right to decide on participation independently. In such cases, they compete under the neutral flag.

What’s the Difference Between Competing Under Your Own Flag and a Neutral Flag?

During the opening and closing ceremonies, instead of the national flag, the Olympic flag is raised. Athletes cannot display national symbols, including on their clothing. If they win, the IOC anthem is played instead of their country’s national anthem.

If an Athlete Can't Represent Their Country, Why Participate in the Olympics at All?

The option to compete under a neutral flag exists to protect athletes’ careers and give them a chance to showcase their talent. Athletes train for four years leading up to the Olympics, investing immense effort.

Any medals won under the neutral flag are credited to the individual athlete's personal achievements.

Which Countries Have Had Athletes Compete Under a Neutral Flag Before?

In 1980, athletes from countries boycotting the Moscow Olympics competed under a neutral flag, including Sebastian Coe, now president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), judoka Ezio Gamba, and high jumper Sara Simeoni.

Over the years, athletes from India, South Sudan, East Timor, the Netherlands Antilles, Kuwait, and the former Yugoslavia have competed under the IOC flag. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, a refugee team from Syria, South Sudan, and Ethiopia participated under a neutral flag.

At the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, the IOC flag was raised and the Olympic anthem played to honor the victories of athletes from the Unified Team, which included competitors from former Soviet republics.

Why Has the Neutral Flag Become a Topic of Discussion Now?

The International Olympic Committee decided to allow Russian athletes to participate in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, from February 9 to 25, not under their national flag but under a neutral one. The reason is the doping scandal that led to the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee's membership by the IOC.

A special commission, including representatives from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the SportAccord Anti-Doping Division (DFSU), and the IOC, will determine which Russian athletes can compete.

Russian athletes competing under the neutral flag will be designated as "Olympic Athletes from Russia."

Discover the latest news and current events in Sports and Health as of 14-06-2024. The article titled " What Is a Neutral Flag and Why Do Athletes Compete Under It? " provides you with the most relevant and reliable information in the Sports and Health field. Each news piece is thoroughly analyzed to deliver valuable insights to our readers.

The information in " What Is a Neutral Flag and Why Do Athletes Compete Under It? " helps you make better-informed decisions within the Sports and Health category. Our news articles are continuously updated and adhere to journalistic standards.